Health & Wellness

avocados

Avocados are commonly thought of as vegetables, but they are actually fruits. These delicious creamy fruits are known to be high in fat, however, keep in mind that it is a healthful fat.

Preparation Tips

To ripen an avocado, place it in a sealed plastic bag with a ripe banana at room temperature. Another method is to bury the avocado completely in a jar of flour. Do not refrigerate avocados until they are ripe.

Trivia

Avocados date back to 8,000 B.C., and are native to Mexico and Central America.

Until recent years, the avocado had a well-entrenched reputation for inducing sexual prowess and wasn't purchased or consumed by any person wishing to protect their image from slanderous assault. Growers had to sponsor a public relations campaign to dispel the ill-founded reputation before avocados became popular.

Avocados must reach full maturity before they are picked, but they will not soften on the tree. The tree is actually used as a warehouse; the fruit can be kept on the tree for many months after reaching maturity.

In Season

Get ready for springtime! March 21 marks the official beginning of the spring season. This means spring showers, spring flowers, and whole new crop of fresh spring foods. This month, take the opportunity to enjoy a few winter favorites that are still at their peak, and to get a first taste of the spring season's freshest picks.